Thread lubricant package and method



Feb. 16, 1960 Filed Dec. 3, 1956 J. E. LEWIS THREAD LUBRICANT PACKAGE AND METHOD 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

dame: E. ZW/J Feb. 16, 1960 J. E. LEWIS THREAD LUBRICANT PACKAGE AND METHOD 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 3, 1956 James E 1 e l/V/J INVENTOR.

ATTO/F/VEV 1960 J. E. LEWIS 2,924,876

THREAD LUBRICANT PACKAGE AND memos Filed Dec. 5, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 (/ames E. (e W/J INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY Feb. 16, 1960 J. E. LEWIS THREAD LUBRICANT PACKAGE ANDMETHOD 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed D60. 3, 1956 James A. Lew/a INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY United States 2,924,876 THREAD LUBRICANT PACKAGE AND Mir-anon JamesE. Lewis, Houston, Tex. Application December 3, 1956, Serial No.: 62 '5,945

15 Claims. (Cl. 29-458) severe ,that type of service will be used as an example in the following discussiom Many of the problems are commpnto all industrialapplications, and..both the method andgthe package are suitable for general use, of

, COUIS e.

, Intheoilindustry, the threaded joint is used in the co p i s! ca n tub ng line, P p drill p p a fit in s, et t i cemm np a is to p y lubricant ..O r"dop e tofthe. threaded'section just before it is madeup or screwedtogether. The lubricant tends to prevent galling of the rnating surfaces and to improve the sealing characteristicsby facilitating complete make-up of. thejoint. Inaddition, itfills the voids in the threaded .interval and resists lcorrosionand erosion of the threads that might result fromfluid washing, and itfacilitates later break-out ,of the thread. This is particularly significant in, the production phase of the industry where repeated make and break operations are part of normal activity., Thread life under suchconditions is a function of properlubrication, of, course. o a

Only' through correctapplication on the threaded surfa cepf the corre'ct amount; o t-uncontaminated] dope can ea enr the advantages of using lubricant or dope be realized fully; Similarly, it is apparent that improper 'carept threaded joints can do nothing but decrease their effectiveness in use. E'videnee of poor lubrication control' are found repeatedly in the oil industrywherewashout of tool joints, tubing-and casing leaks, corrosion of threads, galling and poorthread lifeoccur with undesirable frequency. v v

Factors contributing to failureof threaded connections are varied, of'course. -Asiim'plied, however, oneofthe 'important-measons is the improper application of 'lubricant. Related to this, of course, is the condition of the lubricant"being-applied. 1 In practice, there is a .fdope bucket on the derrick fioor-of every rig and on the bed ofevery *field truck; Qnri'gsthere'is constant contamination of the-lubricant from drilling mud, debris, and water because the -dope bucket? remains uncovered in most instances from the timeit is first opened. a lathe fiel'd dirt *and dust andlong'exposure to airare the-con taminants and'are the reasons that'viscosity characteristics change for thewor'se. Incombination, the effect is to so limit the ability-of: the lubricant to doits job that even 1 correct ap'plicationis notalways: enough to assure good joint life.

2,924,876 Hatented Feb. 16, 1 960 "g-Inaeach-i of the dope :buekets there is the inevitable dope stick or brush. Often this is literally a stick .swith; ,o 'ue waste or a rag wrapped around the business :end, Whatever is used, however, the dope or lubricant is scooped up and wiped on the box or sometimes the pin-end-tof the threaded connection. Therecan be no uniformity in the amount of lubricant deposited each tirne, and there is certainly no way to get uniform and effectivgdistribution of the lubricant on the thread. In addition to the "difi'iculties-an alert, intelligent, and conscientiousperson would have in trying to do-a good job, the problem is compounded by-human error most of the time. Many times the importance of correctlubrication ,is n otaknown to the roughneck or roustabou't doing the job, many times he lacks one or more of the traits mentioned above, many times speed is regarded as the only goal and .many times fatigue and other human distractions contribute to improper useof material. .,.,';Accordingly, it -is a principal object of the present invention. to provide a method and means for the con- .trolledapplication of lubricant to threaded joints of the ,character described above. The present inventioncontemplates placing a suitable lubricant material;in a substantially air-tight envelope or casing constructed of-aflexible material, such as one of the manyknown film plastics. The casing can be madein many-forms andshapesadapted to be positioned orrone or the otheraof the members of a threaded connection and:located :so -.as .to be engaged by the threadsas ,the joint is made up, inorder torupture the casingand discharge the lubricant therefrom over the thread surfaces. ,Ihe .envelope or casing will be so shaped that upon rupturing the lubricant will be distributed uniformly about the inter-engaging surfaces of the jointmembersa, The casing will be filled with the optimum amount of lubricant fort he application in which it is employed. Being substantiallyqair-tight, the envelope will protect the viscosity characteristics of the lubricant and will ensure freedom fromcontamination.

Among the advantages to be obtained by the present invention are: (l) Assurance of the use of the correct amount of lubricant fora particular application; (2) proper placement of thelubricantron :the threaded surfacesffor efiective distribution by theengaging threads; (3) assurance of uncontaminated lubricant by enclosure in sealed packages sized .forthe, specific application; (4) assurance of optimum or most efficient use of the material; (5 assuranceof the protection of the viscosity characteristics and lubricating properties of the lubrincant fromextraneous contaminants; and"(6-) efficient use of the lubricant by untrained orunskilled persons.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a plan view illustrating a torus-shaped package;

Fig. .2 is a quarter-sectional elevational view of the embodiment illustrated in Fig.1;

Fig. 3-is a cross-sectional view showing the package of Fig. l applied to the male or pin member of a threaded joint;

1 fig. 4 is aview'similar to Fig. 3 showing the lubricant package of Fig. 1 applied .to the female or box member of the threaded joint;

Fig.5 is a plan view of a modification of the lubricant package of Fig. 1 incorporating support elements for the package;

Fig. 61s a partly sectional view taken along line 66 of Fig. 5;

Fig.7 isan enlargedfragmentary view similar to the sectionalzportion of Fig. 6; Fig. 8 is" apartly sectional perspective viewshowing the lubricant package of Fig. 5 installed in the box mem- 2,924,876 v, p A

ger of a threaded joint prior to insertion of the pin mem- Fig. 9 is a plan view of a so-called sandwich or bandage type package;

Fig. 10 isa cross-sectional view taken along line 10-10 of Fig. 9; V

Fig. 11 is a perspective elevational view showing the bandage-type package positioned about the pin member of threaded joint;

Fig. 12 is, a partly sectional perspective view of a sleevetype lubricant package; I

Fig. 13 is :a perspective view showing the sleeve-type embodiment applied to the pin of the thread joint;

Flg. 14 is a partly sectional perspective view showing a modification of the sleeve-type package fitted with an applicator, shownpositioned in the box member of the threaded joint; and

15 is a plan view of-the embodiment illustrated in Referring to the drawing and to Figs. 1 and 2, the em bodlment shown therein is a torus-shaped envelope or casing encasing a lubricant material 21 which is hermetically sealed therein in any conventional manner. The torus has an axial bore 22 therein. Casing 20 is preferably made of any one of a number of available pliable or flexible materials, such as the well known plastic film materials which are both substantially air-tight and chemically inert to the enclosed lubricant. The thickness of the envelope wall will, of course, be the minimum, consistent with that degree of strength necessary to permit handling of the package when it is shipped and when it is installed in the joint to which it is to be applied. Once installed, it will be understood that it is intended to be ruptured; hence, the wall thickness, while possessing the strength characteristics mentioned, will also be such as to rupture readily when subjected to compression or rubbing, shearing, or frictional forces developed by engagement between the threads of the pipe joint as the latter is made up. Ordinarily, the thickness of the plastic film employed to form the envelope or casing will be of the order of two mils or less. I Among the various plastic materials which are available to form the casing 20 are the following: polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon); polyethylene terephthalate (Mylar); polyethylene; polyamide (nylon); polychlorotrifluoroethylene (Trithene); polyvinyl chloride (Velon); vinylidene chloride-vinyl chloride copolymer (Saran); polystyrene (Styroflex); nivyl-nitrile ribber (Visten). Also laminates, metallized films or other combinations of film materials may be employed.

Thread lubricant 21 may be any one of the various well-known materials employed for lubricating threads, particularly in oil industry applications, and the specific composition of the thread lubricant as well as the particular type or class of plastic film employed for the'casmg, ,do not, of themselves, form a part of this invention. The dimensions of the torus-shaped package will be dependent upon thesize of the joint member to which his to be applied and, as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4, may be applied either to the male or pin member 23 of the joint by slipping the package over the pin threads-24; or it may be inserted in the upper end of a box member 25 of the joint, as illustrated particularly in Fig. 4, the

box member having the internal threads 26.

Where the lubricant package is placed over the pin, as shown in Fig. 3, the latter. may then be inserted into the box member of the joint and as the threads engage, the lubricant package will be compressed and otherwise mechanically engaged between the joint members so as to be ruptured by such engagement and discharge the lubricant over the engaging thread surfaces. As the joint is made up, the lubricant will, of course, be extruded by the engaging threads and will flow about the .spill over the thread section and be subsequently spread 4 thread surfaces throughout the length of the thread section which is engaged.

By this method of application, it will be seen that uncontaminated lubricant will be applied to the threads. Moreover, since the quantity of lubricant enclosed in the casing will have been pre-determined to provide the optimum amount of lubrication for the joint threads, wastage of lubricant will be avoided and uniform distribution of the lubricant will be accomplished.

Similarly, in the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 4 the lubricantpackage will be installed in the upper end of I the female or box memberof the joint and when the pin member is inserted in the conventional manner, the package will be ruptured and the lubricant caused to flow downwardly over the surfaces of the box threads 26, with the same advantageous results noted previously in connection with the application to the pin member of Fig. 3. It will be understood that once a lubricant package has been put in place about a j0int member it may be ruptured in any suitable manner to allow the lubricant to by engagement of the joint members. Figs. 5 to 8 illustrate a modification of'the torus-shaped package in which supporting elements areincorporated or connected to the package in such a way as to assist in initially positioning. the package in the box member of the joint, so as to maintain it in proper position for reception of the pin member. In this embodiment, the

torus-shaped package 20 is connected by means of an annular web or membrane 27 which extends radially from periphery of'the membrane is secured to a ring 28 which may be of any readilyremovable construction, and may be constructed of cardboard or other material which functions as a support frame adapted to embrace the upper end of the box member 25, so that the membrane 27 overlies the upper end 25a of the box member and thereby supports casing 20 concentrically within the upper end of the interior of the box member.' A radially projecting hook or handle 29 is secured to the exterior of ring 28. This embodiment isemployed'in the following manner: Casing 20, with its enclosed lubricant, is inserted into the upper end of the box member 25 and, as noted, is supported from the upper end 25a of the box' member by the membrane 27 and the support ring 28. The pin member of the joint is theninserted into the box member and in such insertion casing 20 will be ruptured, as previously described, and the lubricant discharged between the threads of the joint members as they are made up. As the joint members are fully made up,the membrane 27, which is of very thin material, will.be ruptured either by engagement of the joint members: or as ring- 28 is pulled off of the box member by means of handle 29.

This embodiment will be useful in many instances because the unsupported torus-shaped package will frequently be flabby and so flexible in general character that it may be difficult to position properly within the box member. Hence, membrane 27, ring 28, and handle 29 provide means for supporting thepackage in its initial position preparatory to engagement by the. other member of the'joint. q

Figs..,9, '10 and 11 illustrate still another embodiment which may be termed a sandwich,";or wrap-around" package. In this embodiment, the package has an elongate substantially flat form constructed from a pair of sheets of-plastic'film 30-30 disposed face-to-face and which are adhesively or otherwise sealed about their periphery. ,The' unsealed central-portions definebetween them acasing 31 of thin cross-section which contains the requisite; quantity of thread lubricant. .The end-portions of this package form the tabs 32-32whichmay be coated with adhesiveor may be of self-adhering plastic,

area-eta such as" Saran, so 'fth'at .Lthe package marine -wrapped around the pin member,as illustrated-particularly in Fig. 11, the end tabs being causedto'joverlap, andf'to adhere to one another to holdthe" package-implace on the threads 23 ofthe pin member 24. It will be'evident that when the pin member, carrying the wrap-around package installed thereon,yis inserted-in' the bormember of the joint, the package will beieffectivelyruptured;-re

leasing theulubricant which will; then be;discharged;over

36 and 37 forming an enclosure for the thread lubricant 38. The sleeve-shaped package has a bore 39 which is adapted 'toreceive the threaded: sectionr23xjof the pin member 24, as shown ,particularly in Fig. 13. The sleeve-shaped package is preferably tapered to complement the taper of the pin threads,"so that it may be pushed up over the pin threads-until it is'-frictionally supported thereon. With thesleeve-shaped package thus installed on the pin-member, the latter may be inserted in the box member of the joint and the engagement between the joint members will, as in the previously described embodiments, rupture the package and efiect the desired distribution of lubricant over the threads.

Figs. 14 and illustrate the sleeve-shaped embodiment of Figs. 12 and 13, equipped with support elements such as those employed in connection with the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 5 to 8, namely, a membrane 40 constructed of thin plastic film secured to the upper end of the sleeve-shaped package 35 and shaped to extend over the upper end 25a of box member 25 and secured to a support ring 41, similar in form and construction to support ring 28, and provided also with a handle 42 like handle 29. This latter embodiment is installed in the box member, as shown in Fig. 14, and the pin member is then inserted, the latter will, upon engagement with package 35, rupture the same and cause release and distribution of the lubricant as the joint is made up. Membrane 40 will be ruptured and ring 36 removed from the joint, as previously described.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention provides a useful method and means for eifectively l-ubricating the threads of threaded pipe joints in a manner which provides Several advantages and fulfills the several objects previously enumerated.

It will be understood that numerous modifications and variations may be made in the details of construction and form of the lubricant packages within the scope of the appended claims but without departing from the spirit of this invention.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. As an article of manufacture, a lubricant package, comprising, a closed easily-rupturable flexible casing shaped for placement about one of the members of a threaded pipe joint, said casing being constructed of a thin plastic film material, and a body of a pipe thread lubricant enclosed within the casing.

2. As an article of manufacture, a lubricant package, comprising, a closed easily-rupturable flexible casing of hollow toroidal shape, said casing being constructed of a thin plastic film material, and a body of a pipe thread lubricant enclosed within the casing.

3. As an article of manufacture, a lubricant package, comprising, a closed easily rupturable flexible easing of sleeve-like shape having a hollow wall defining an annu- -lar chamber, said casing being constructed of a thin plasscribed, and havingspaced-apartiriner andouter walls '-'tic' film' material; and a body of a pipei'thread lubricant .enc e ed wi n a dr am -r ""4.;,As an article ofmanufacture, ,aTlubricantxpackage 'fOrQlribricating threaded pipe joints, comprising, a closed 5 'readilyrrupturablq'flexiblefhollow casing'shaped for place- ,ment betweenthe-membersof a threaded pipejoint, said casing being ,fCOIlStl'fllCt6d of-thin plastic film material "which isreadily-rupturableby engagement between the 'joint' members';during-their make-up; and a pre-deter- :mined quantity of a suitable-"thread lubricant enclosed within said casing.

5.;As ;an article;- ofmanufacture, a lubricant package for- 'lubrica ting,threaded" pipejoints, comprising, a closed {readily-rupturable flexiblejhollowcasingadapted for placement between the threaded members of a threaded pipe=joint,- said casing being'constructed of a-thin plastic film material whichis readilyrupturable by engagement between the joint-membersduring their--make-up, a predetermined quantity: of a suitable-thread lubricant enclosed within the casing and means connected to the casing for initially supporting the casing in operative position about a joint member. I

i 6." As an article --of manufacture; a lubricant package for lubricating threaded pipe jofints,;comprising, a closed readily-rupturable flexible-hollowcasingfof toroidal shape adapted for placement between-'the-members of a threaded pipe joint, said casing'beingkconstructed of a thin plastic film material-'which is readily'r'upturable by engagement between the joint members during their make-up, and a pre-determined quantity of a suitable thread lubricant enclosed within said casing.

7. As an article of manufacture, a lubricant package for lubricating threaded pipe joints, comprising, a closed readily-rupturable flexible hollow casing of toroidal shape adapted for placement in the box member of a threaded pipe joint, said casing being constructed of a thin plastic film material which is readily rupturable by engagement between the joint members during their make-up, a predetermined quantity of a suitable thread lubricant enclosed within said casing, and removable means connected to said casing for supporting the casing in initial operative position in said box member.

8. As an article of manufacture, a lubricant package for lubricating threaded pipe joints, comprising, a sleeveshaped readily-rupturable flexible casing adapted for placement between the thread sections of the members of a threaded pipe joint, the inner and outer walls of said casing defining between them a closed annular chamber of narrow cross-section, said casing being constructed of a thin plastic film material which is readily rupturable by engagement between the joint members during their make-up, and a pre-determined quantity of a suitable thread lubricant enclosed within said chamber.

9. As an article of manufacture, a lubricant package for lubricating threaded pipe jo'ints, comprising, a sleeveshaped readily-rupturable flexible casing adapted for placement between the thread sections of the members of a threaded pipe joint, the inner and outer walls of said casing defining between them a closed annular chamber of narrow cross-section, said casing being constructed of a thin plastic film material which is readily rupturable by engagement between the joint members during their make-up, said casing having initially a flat elongate shape which is formable into said sleeve-shape by wrapping it about the male member of said joint, and a pre-determined quantity of a suitable thread lubricant enclosed within said chamber.

10. A method of lubricating the threads of a threaded pipe joint, comprising, encasing a quantity of a thread lubricant suflicient to lubricate said threads in a thin rupturable pliable casing shaped for placement between the threaded portions of the members to be joined, positioning the casing on one member of the joint to effect said placement, and engaging the casing by the other joint member as the joint is made-up whereby to rupture the casing and discharge the lubricant over theengaging "thread surfaces. I g v 11 A method of lubricating thethreads of a threaded pipe.j0int,.,comprising, encasing a rquantity of-a thread lubricant sufficient to lubricatesaid threads in a pliable casing constructed of a thin, rupturable plastic film material and shaped-for placement between thefthreaded sections of the members to be joined, positioning the easing in the box member of said joint substantially concentric with the thread section thereof, and inserting the pin Vterial and shaped for placement between the threaded portions of the members to be joined, positioning the casing concentrically about the pin member of the joint; to effect said placement, and inserting thelatter with the casing into the box member of the joint to engage the casing between the joint members as the joint is made up to engage and rupture the casing and discharge the lubricant over the'engaging thread surfaces.

- 13. As an article of manufacture, a lubricant package,

comprising, a closed easily rupturable flexible casing shaped for placement about one of the members of a threaded pipe joint. said casing being constructed of a thin easily-rupturable material, anda body of a pipe thread lubricantenclosed within the casing.

14. As an article of manufactureaa lubricant package, comprising, a' closed easily rupturable flexible .casing shapedfor .placemeut about one of the (members of a threadedjoint, said casing beingconstructed of a thin easily rupturable material, and abody of a thread lubricant enclosed within the casing. g

15.-A methodoflubricating thethreads of a threaded joint, comprising, encasing a quantity of a thread lubricant in a sealed casing constructed of thin, easily-rupsturable material shaped for placement between, the threaded portions of the members to be joined, disposing the casing in thread-lubricating position on one of the members of a threaded joint to efiect'said placement, and engaging the casing by the other member of the joint as the joint ismadeup whereby to rupture the casing and discharge saidlubricant on to the thread surfaces of said joint.

7 References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 180,911 ONeill Aug. 8, 1876 2,407,552 Hoesel Sept. 10, 1946 2,688,436 Malaven Sept. 7, 1954 2,772,903 Sussenbach Dec. 4, 1956 

